The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency Opens Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program Application

Scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, pending funding availability

The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) announced the launch of the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program application. The application will be open from Wednesday, July 1, 2015 through Tuesday, July 7, 2015 to Atlanta Public School high school graduates as well as students whose parent or legal guardian is a full-time City of Atlanta employee.

Celebrating its 10th year, the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program (MYSP) will help to ensure that the cost of college is not a barrier to Atlanta students who seek a higher education, as well as to help them minimize or eliminate student loan debt.

“Any young person who works hard, dares to dream, overcomes obstacles and has a desire to attend college should be able to make their dreams come to fruition,” said Michael T. Sterling, Executive Director of the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency. “When our youth have help and are able to achieve their goals, it makes us all better and lights a path to guarantee our future. We want our young people to know that no dream is too big and no goal is unattainable.”

For the last 10 years, the Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program (MYSP) has provided more than 3,000 Atlanta youth with financial support to pursue post-secondary education and attend any college or university of their choice. MYSP provides up to $5,000 per semester and $10,000 per academic year to pay the balance of unmet student obligations, thus allowing students to focus on completing their degrees without financial worry. During the 2014-2015 academic year, AWDA awarded 106 students an average of $7,529.

The Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program relies primarily on contributions from individuals, organizations and corporations to further its goal of having more Atlanta youth complete a post-secondary education. On Tuesday, June 16, 2015, Mayor Kasim Reed hosted the 18th annual Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament, which raised $253,000 for MYSP to provide scholarship funds for Atlanta students. The Mayor’s Youth Scholarship Program will need to continue to raise money throughout the year to ensure that it is able to provide as many Atlanta youth as possible with funding for college.

Scholarships are awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, pending eligibility and funding availability. All eligible students should apply at atlmayorsscholarship.org.

MYSP Application Timeline

• July 1-7, 2015 – Apply online.
• July 8-15, 2015 – AWDA will email and/or mail eligibility letters to students.
• July 15 – August 15 – Students submit registration/account and financial aid information to AWDA.
• July 16 – August 31, 2015 – Notify colleges and students of unmet needs award amount.